The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for urgent and independent investigations into separate military airstrikes by Nigerian and Chadian forces that reportedly killed scores of civilians in northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Türk expressed shock over reports that a Nigerian military airstrike on a crowded market in Zamfara State killed at least 100 civilians on May 10. He also condemned reports that Chadian fighter jets bombed areas in northwestern Nigeria, killing dozens of Nigerian fishermen during operations targeting Boko Haram insurgents.
According to Amnesty International and multiple media reports, the Nigerian strike hit Tumfa market in Zurmi District of Zamfara State during trading activities. Witnesses said military aircraft were seen circling the area before bombs were dropped on the market, leaving dozens dead and many others injured, including women and children. A local resident reportedly placed the death toll at 117.
The Nigerian military has yet to officially confirm civilian casualties from the Zamfara incident, although it acknowledged carrying out operations in the area against armed bandit groups. Military authorities have consistently maintained that their air operations are intelligence-driven and aimed strictly at militant targets.
Türk said he was “alarmed and saddened” by separate reports that Chadian airstrikes targeting Boko Haram camps around the Lake Chad region also killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen. Reports indicated that many of the victims were working on islands controlled by insurgents, where civilians are often forced to pay taxes to extremist groups operating in the region.
“It is crucial that both Nigerian and Chadian authorities conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into these disturbing incidents,” Türk said, adding that anyone found responsible for violations of international law must be held accountable.
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The UN rights chief further urged both militaries to take all necessary precautions to avoid civilian casualties during counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He stressed that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over civilian deaths linked to military air operations in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northern regions. Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned about growing casualties from aerial bombardments in the country’s fight against insurgency and banditry. Previous accidental strikes in Kaduna, Yobe, Sokoto and other northern states have also resulted in significant civilian deaths in recent years.
